Division One Round-Up 23-Jan

Sporting, Box clever to beat Lavis for first time

The top two sides from the Shoestrings chargrill-sponsored Chippenham League, First Division locked horns at Valens Terrace, where a rejuvenated Sporting Box side went into their clash with Lavis FC as the division leaders and thanks to a 3-0 victory.

Leading 1-0 at the break through a Jay Painter goal, Sporting Box kept their guests at bay in the second period where further goals from Jack Hartley and Jake Angell earned them their first ever triumph over their opponents to extend their lead at the head of the table to 6 points over the chasing pack.   

Sutton Benger FC 3 Pack Horse 5

Pack Horse made to work hard for latest success

At the other end of the table, basement side Sutton Benger hosted Pack Horse who were just above them in the standings, and having played 3 fewer games than their hosts, a run of victories would see them catapulted up the table and to a possible promotion challenge and they started their push with a hard fought for 5-3 victory.

Benger who had only won just one of their previous seven league outings, broke the deadlock when Ryan Tyrell put through his own net to give Benger a 13^th minute lead, previous to that Benger’s stand in keeper Kai Flack had made a great stop to keep it at 0-0. 

Benger’s lead lasted all of 5 minutes as Pack Horse drew level thanks to Max Wyatt, and they could have been behind, had Flack not produced another fine stop, however the keeper was unable to prevent Pack Horse from taking the lead on 31 minutes, Jamel Chevelleau bagging the goal that made it 2-1 and looked to have put Pack Horse well on top.

Just as Benger had thrown away their early lead, Pack Horse did the same as Matt Bartlett’s deflected effort saw the hosts restore parity in the 35^th minute and on the stroke of half time Benger retook the lead through James Hernandez, which was good enough to take them into the break with a 3-2 advantage.

The second half began as the first half did, with an early goal, however unlike then, when Benger went ahead it was Pack Horse who hit the back of the net, Max Wyatt adding to his first half effort to tie the game at 3-apiece.

In what was becoming a topsy-turvey encounter, with chances coming and going at both ends it was Pack Horse who made the latest count as Mark Nolan fired home the seventh goal of the morning that saw Darren Legg’s side get their noses back in front to lead 4-3.

Pack Horse left it very late before their finally ended the resistance of Benger and killed the game off, substitute Tyler Smith scoring the goal that secured the visitors their 5-3 win and a fourth win of the campaign.